Staff Shortage? This is How You Can Continue to Grow in Quality with the Right Professionals

Genuine Interest in Others and Drive

Sioux Technologies is a global technology partner that supports or takes over the R&D activities of high-tech companies. They build and develop smart modules and software for high-tech companies worldwide.

The Sioux culture is characterized by a genuine interest in people and a collective drive to strive for the best result each time. To achieve this, coaching on the job is among the methods employed. Frank van Eldijk has been working at Sioux for 5 years, in his hometown of Eindhoven. Initially as a project manager and now as a full-time coach and group leader. To help the project managers under his guidance excel in their profession at Sioux, he leverages the knowledge and experience gained over 25 years as a project manager, including stints at Philips and KNS Nederland.

Ask Stakeholders for Help More Often

When are you a good project manager? This question is always on our minds as a recruitment agency specialized in project management. We ask it frequently and, of course, have our own opinion on the matter.

Frank's answer to this question is, 'A common mistake in project management is wanting to score quickly, being proud and egoistic. Too little focus on the goal and too much on the means.'

What Frank notices is that valuable time with stakeholders and the steering committee is often used to tell stories about progress, about all the achievements within a project. Frank says, 'Of course, you can be proud of that, but time with a steering committee is precious. So, limit yourself to asking for help. Tell them what you need. Address the risks you can't manage on your own. Ask for help.'

Broad and Forward-Looking Perspective

What Frank consistently emphasizes in coaching sessions with 'his' 15 Sioux project managers is to execute project management as comprehensively as possible. By this, he means that as a project manager, you must keep the long-term goal sharply in focus. And by looking broadly across different disciplines. Frank says, 'The project you are managing is a specific piece of work within a larger whole. The ultimate project has a much longer horizon. Therefore, always look broadly and far ahead. It's not about ticking off checklists; it means paying attention to the situation. Making the right decisions at every moment. Continuously asking yourself: what do I really want to achieve right now?'

Collaborating Integrally

Good collaboration is the foundation for a successful outcome, but how do you approach that? "Getting everyone from all disciplines aligned in the right direction, that's where your focus should be as a project manager," advises Frank. "It's not about using a trick learned in a course. In my daily practice, I keep going back to the question: what do I want to achieve? And how are we going to do that together?"

The way project leaders work within Sioux is by collaborating integrally with an architect and account manager.
"We call it '3 in a box'," says Frank. "This way, the project manager knows everything about the technical implementation through the architect and about the customer's requirements and conditions through the account manager. This way, you maintain an integral overview of all aspects within a project and can summarize it for stakeholders at the right level."

Qualitative Growth in the Workforce

Wanting to be the best in an open culture is Sioux's philosophy, and according to Frank, it should be in the DNA of every project manager the company attracts.

That's why Sioux, and Frank in his role, are always looking for project managers who fit well with this philosophy. In other words, experienced professionals who, with an integral and broad perspective, dare to challenge themselves within an open culture. No egotists, but curious individuals.

Especially now, in a time of a significant labor shortage, it's a challenge to find exactly that profile of project manager, says Frank. "You can grow your workforce with inexperienced school graduates, but you need to maintain a balance in your organization between seniors and juniors. Right now, it's important to keep a sharp focus on quality in the hiring process."

This was one of the prerequisites that Frank set when he enlisted GHYSELS recruitment to help Sioux with this. Frank: "We are looking for project managers who already have some broader experience in similar integral assignments. And fit within our culture. This is the assignment I gave to Bart."

Constructive Collaboration in Recruitment

Frank is pleased that he enlisted GHYSELS because a new project manager, who perfectly fits the profile he is looking for, will start in December. Frank says, "The project manager that Bart found for us is modest and very approachable, but when it comes down to it, also persistent and goal-oriented. That is precisely the combination we are looking for."

Frank continues, "Bart has made a really nice selection of suitable candidates. Not a flood of potential candidates, but various candidates who fit well with Sioux and vice versa. One of them really matched the profile of an integral project manager. That says something about his judgment. Bart is quick on the ball. He manages expectations on both sides and ensures intensive guidance for both parties. Due to his constant alignment, there could be no ambiguity and difference of opinion. In short, a very open and constructive collaboration, where I was not only well assisted but also always felt heard and seen. And perhaps most importantly: I have been relieved of the burden of finding a project manager by GHYSELS. This allows me to continue focusing on my work and coaching project managers at Sioux."